Myanmar’s cooperation with ASEAN can cut international pressure on Rakhine issue

Myanmar’s cooperation with ASEAN can cut international pressure on Rakhine issue
Kyaw Tin, Minister for International Cooperation, attends the meeting of AMM.
Kyaw Tin, Minister for International Cooperation, attends the meeting of AMM.
Published 24 June 2019
Kyaw Zaw Lin

Myanmar’s cooperation with ASEAN community will be able to reduce international pressure put on Rakhine issue, said Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation.

The 34th ASEAN Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand from June 20 to 23, attended by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

The news team of Eleven Media Group held a private meeting with Union Minister Kyaw Tin at the hotel and made an interview.

“Every country is delighted at collaborative efforts with ASEAN and welcomes it. There may an issue in the region. If the issue is addressed by the regional body, international interference is not needed. We are cooperating with ASEAN in dealing with the situation. In doing so, international pressure can be reduced,” said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

We are trying to develop the situation in Rakhine State. The recommendations of Kofi Annan-led commission are being implemented and reviewed. Rakhine State is developing remarkably, especially in infrastructure sector, said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

They want citizenship and freedom of moving. Regarding the citizenship right, our stance has been already mentioned. Kofi Annan-led commission suggested that the 1982 citizenship law should be amended in the long run. We submitted it to the previous parliament. The amendment is not okay at this time. We will have to consider citizenship right, said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

A clear time frame should be given to accept or deny citizenship submission.

We cannot allow that citizenship must be given to them as soon as they arrive. In any country, if they return, bio data must be taken for the first step and then NVCs will be issued. We are trying to fix clear time frame. For example, clear time frame can last for six months or a year. Those who live in Myanmar for three generations will get citizenship. We don’t need to banish those who do not meet criteria. They have the right to living because they have NVC like green card. We have citizens and guest citizens, said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

Malaysia and Indonesia demanded that Myanmar government should fix a clear time frame as to those fleeing to Bangladesh.

A team set up by ASEAN came to Myanmar and collected evidences. The performance of repatriation centers should be upgraded. Myanmar’s efforts in repatriation process should be made known to the IDPs from Bangladesh. Assistance should be provided to development works, said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.

The Malaysian representative did not criticize Myanmar much for Bengali issue during the days of ASEAN Summit, said Union Minister Kyaw Tin.   

Translated and Edited by Win Htut